Add Tiffen UV filter to the order and get it for free. Discount shows up in cart when you go to checkout

Hoogineer

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 10:36a

What are expert/enthusiast opinions of this lens on an APS-C (e.g., 600d)? I feel like this is too long for indoor use, and have been eying the 40mm f/2.8 pancake (albeit much slower than this, yet still faster than the 18-55 kit) lens instead, although I really feel like I should be using a 35mm indoors instead.

I have been using my 18-55mm kit lens as wide open as possible (which usually keeps me b/t f/3.5 and f/4.0) to keep ISO down and brighten my photos, which means I usually stay around 40mm and below.

mannyv

Senior Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 11:07a

Hoogineer said: What are expert/enthusiast opinions of this lens on an APS-C (e.g., 600d)? I feel like this is too long for indoor use, and have been eying the 40mm f/2.8 pancake (albeit much slower) lens instead, although I really feel like I should be using a 35mm indoors instead.

I have been using my 18-55mm kit lens as wide open as possible (which usually keeps me b/t f/3.5 and f/4.0) to keep ISO down and brighten my photos.

The great things about this lens are that you don't need a flash and it's really, really sharp.

The downside, as you said, is that it's long. It's long enough that if you want to take a head-to-toe shot of two adults standing up you have to be about 10-12 feet away. Group pictures are difficult as well.

That said, it turns your candids into portraits. You'll learn to go way back for group shots, just because the picture'll look really good.

If you need group shots (like classroom pictures), the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 is pretty good. It's better than the kit, though not as sharp as the 50mm 1.4.

Really, you can't go wrong with the 50mm 1.4, especially at this price. I've been using it almost exclusively for a year, until I added the 17-50. You will be blown away.

hammer45

Wears Parachute Pants

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:01p

thanks OP...in for one and a free filter

WindWalker

Senior Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:08p

at this price, it sure does make it easier to choose over the refurb model at cannon direct

enterkey

In trouble

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:10p

I decided to get one. Couldn't resist...

Now to sell my 50mm F/1.8...

vnuts21

Senior Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:26p

I might be interested in your 50 f/1.8, depending on the price. PM me!

mannyv

Senior Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:27p

As a note, because this lens is so good in low light you're going to have to fiddle with your metering mode. I use center-weighted average now, but used to use spot metering.

If you use evaluative the shot will tend to be too dark, since the background is usually brighter than your subject when you're indoors. You also have to watch out because it's easier to blow out your background (ie: your background may be all-white).

steveinator

Addicted Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:31p

hosen said: Add Tiffen UV filter to the order and get it for free. Discount shows up in cart when you go to checkout

Can you send me a print out i want to go back and see if i can get the Free Filter...

According to SLRGear, when this Canon is wide open at f1.4, only about a third of the frame is sharp, while everything else is pretty soft. Sharpness gets much better at f2 and above. Compare to Nikon 50mm 1.4.

Also, for those who want 50mm f1.4 but on a tight budget, consider the manual only Canon FD 50mm 1.4 on eBay. Usually costs under $100 with adapter for modern DSLRs. Optics are very good, all glass.

Hoogineer

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:41p

mannyv said: The great things about this lens are that you don't need a flash and it's really, really sharp.

The downside, as you said, is that it's long. It's long enough that if you want to take a head-to-toe shot of two adults standing up you have to be about 10-12 feet away. Group pictures are difficult as well.

That said, it turns your candids into portraits. You'll learn to go way back for group shots, just because the picture'll look really good.

If you need group shots (like classroom pictures), the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 is pretty good. It's better than the kit, though not as sharp as the 50mm 1.4.

Really, you can't go wrong with the 50mm 1.4, especially at this price. I've been using it almost exclusively for a year, until I added the 17-50. You will be blown away.

Thanks for the comments! In a perfect world I'd just get the 17-55mm and not worry about anything (although, again, that's still f/2.8). I probably need to play with my kit lens indoors at 50mm to see what the FOV looks like. I'm wondering whether I can add it and make a decision (one way or the other) before it ships. Usually it takes Amazon several days to ship with FSSS, but they may be trying to speed things up closer to X-mas.

ssnui

Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:42p

AmishBoy said: Can you link to the $299 lens on B&H? I'm seeing $399.Add it to the cart and you will see $299 (if you still don't see it, clear your browser's cookie and try it again)

wahoo2x

Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:46p

In for one and a free filter. Thanks!

AmishBoy

Thrifty Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:49p

Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

LexTalionis

Dismembered Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 12:54p

AmishBoy said: Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

Yes, I don't see why not. I however, prefer to shoot with older manual focus lenses fitted with a focus gear puller. The one I use and can be had on eBay about about $50 is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4. The only issue is you have to have it converted and this is how I did that: http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,608.0.html

AmishBoy

Thrifty Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 2:03p

LexTalionis said: AmishBoy said: Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

Yes, I don't see why not. I however, prefer to shoot with older manual focus lenses fitted with a focus gear puller. The one I use and can be had on eBay about about $50 is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4. The only issue is you have to have it converted and this is how I did that: http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,608.0.htmlThanks, Lex. Will give it a shot.

Sorry to disagree, but a 80mm prespective is a great portrait lens, but not the best for a fixed focal length general purpose lens. I think you'd be better off with a 18-50mm to work in that range (or even longer). This is a great lens, but not a great all-around lens.

LexTalionis said: AmishBoy said: Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

Yes, I don't see why not. I however, prefer to shoot with older manual focus lenses fitted with a focus gear puller. The one I use and can be had on eBay about about $50 is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4. The only issue is you have to have it converted and this is how I did that: http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,608.0.html

AmishBoy

Thrifty Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 2:43p

dogmeat said: Sorry to disagree, but a 80mm prespective is a great portrait lens, but not the best for a fixed focal length general purpose lens. I think you'd be better off with a 18-50mm to work in that range (or even longer). This is a great lens, but not a great all-around lens.I am making my first foray into DSLR videography and just picked up the T3i deal from Amazon. I know the lenses I got with it aren't what I need for my intended purpose, and am looking for the most cost-effective solution for man-on-the-street type interviews. Would be exclusively using manual focus to achieve the depth of field (bokeh) effect for my documentaries. Another videographer I contacted uses and recommends a 35mm f/2 prime. Would you agree?

hammer45

Wears Parachute Pants

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 2:51p

Interesting how the reviews seem to indicate a minimal performance gain over the 1.8, if at all. however, I guess if I sell my 1.8 and offset the cost of this I'm willing to gain a better build and another f-stop for $200.

LexTalionis

Dismembered Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 2:57p

dogmeat said: Sorry to disagree, but a 80mm prespective is a great portrait lens, but not the best for a fixed focal length general purpose lens. I think you'd be better off with a 18-50mm to work in that range (or even longer). This is a great lens, but not a great all-around lens.

LexTalionis said: AmishBoy said: Would this be a good choice for street level video work with the T3i?

Yes, I don't see why not. I however, prefer to shoot with older manual focus lenses fitted with a focus gear puller. The one I use and can be had on eBay about about $50 is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4. The only issue is you have to have it converted and this is how I did that: http://www.motleypixel.com/forum/index.php/topic,608.0.html

He just said street level work, that leaves a lot a leeway on specifically what he wants to accomplish. Fast 50mm glass is pretty popular for certain shots. I don't think you'll find many zooms in any semi-pro or pro DSLR outfits; in fact, see how many cine-specific lens models you can find out there that are zoom compared to prime?

LexTalionis

Dismembered Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 2:59p

hammer45 said: Interesting how the reviews seem to indicate a minimal performance gain over the 1.8, if at all. however, I guess if I sell my 1.8 and offset the cost of this I'm willing to gain a better build and another f-stop for $200.

You will get twice AF speed with the USM which is HUGE! Also, there are more diaphragm blades = smoother OOF highlights. Lastly, the build quality between the two is VERY noticeable...I also hated the skinny knurled focus ring of the 50/1.8.

Hoogineer

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 3:07p

hammer45 said: Interesting how the reviews seem to indicate a minimal performance gain over the 1.8, if at all. however, I guess if I sell my 1.8 and offset the cost of this I'm willing to gain a better build and another f-stop for $200.I believe what people say is that the difference in IQ is minimal. (I don't own either, so I can't attest to anything personally.) As to other attributes, I believe Lex has the right of it in his post.

enterkey

In trouble

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 3:17p

For those of you who want to unload your 50mm F/1.8, I listed mine on Amaz0n at slightly lower cost than everyone else. It was sold within an hour literary. It might not be the most bang for the bucks, but if you are looking to sell quickly, it's an option.

chibimike

Happy Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 3:38p

LexTalionis said: hammer45 said: Interesting how the reviews seem to indicate a minimal performance gain over the 1.8, if at all. however, I guess if I sell my 1.8 and offset the cost of this I'm willing to gain a better build and another f-stop for $200.

You will get twice AF speed with the USM which is HUGE! Also, there are more diaphragm blades = smoother OOF highlights. Lastly, the build quality between the two is VERY noticeable...I also hated the skinny knurled focus ring of the 50/1.8.

The biggest difference to me is focus accuracy. The 1.8 is not terribly accurate. I've found you can sometimes focus it multiple times and still have it move slightly each time, until you get it spot on. No such issue with the 50/1.4.

mannyv

Senior Member

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 3:43p

Oh, one more note on this lens. In really low light (a few lumens) a filter will most like cause a green colored artifact. If you're in ultra low light, be sure to check the image preview religiously - that green reflection is really hard to photoshop out. Take that filter off and it goes away.

On the plus side, you can take pictures with only three lit candles on a birthday cake - without a flash.

It makes me wonder how much better the 1.2 is.

Hoogineer

Senior Member - 1K

posted: Dec. 4, 2012 @ 4:00p

mannyv said: Oh, one more note on this lens. In really low light (a few lumens) a filter will most like cause a green colored artifact. If you're in ultra low light, be sure to check the image preview religiously - that green reflection is really hard to photoshop out. Take that filter off and it goes away.

On the plus side, you can take pictures with only three lit candles on a birthday cake - without a flash.

It makes me wonder how much better the 1.2 is.<Sigh> ... makes me wish I had a F/F. With a crop, the rough equivalent is either a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 ($439 on Amazon) or Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM ($449 on Amazon). Do either of those ever get on sale near $300?

I'm in for one. I ordered from Amazon because I am a prime member and overnight shipping cost me just $4. Yeah I could have saved CA tax, but oh well!! It was between the 50mm 1.4 and a 100mm.

Skipping 9 Messages...

OctaneZ

Ancient Member

posted: Dec. 21, 2012 @ 4:08p

wahoo2x said: JVEC said: If some experienced users can help out a greenhorn, I'd really appreciate it! Perhaps some recommendations on a decent macro lens as well. I had a 50 that I never used on my crop body because of that, but the moment I went full frame I started shooting at 50 more.

I too have a Crop Body Canon and have this lens as I remembered how great 50mm was on my EOS film cameras, but I find that 50mm is too long for a walk around lens on this Canon. It only comes out of the bag when I really need that 1.4 Aperture, but then I still have to figure out how to compose what I want to shoot. You may want to look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (it goes for about $439) as a replacement for this lens on a xxD or a Txi body.

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